Undoubtedly the war with Iraq was a tragedy. I think it was also a crime

Undoubtedly the war with Iraq was a tragedy. I think it was also a crime

Tony Benn, a prominent British politician and anti-war activist, was a vocal critic of the war with Iraq, which he described as both a tragedy and a crime. Benn's opposition to the war was rooted in his belief that it was unjustified and based on false pretenses.

Benn argued that the invasion of Iraq in 2003 was a tragedy because it resulted in the loss of countless lives, both Iraqi civilians and coalition soldiers. The war led to widespread destruction and instability in the region, with devastating consequences for the Iraqi people. Benn was deeply troubled by the human cost of the war, and he spoke out against the violence and suffering that it caused.

In addition to being a tragedy, Benn believed that the war with Iraq was also a crime. He argued that the invasion was illegal under international law, as it was not authorized by the United Nations Security Council. Benn was a staunch defender of the principles of international law and the importance of upholding the rule of law in international affairs. He condemned the actions of the Bush administration and its allies in launching a war of aggression without a legitimate legal basis.

Benn's criticism of the war with Iraq was part of his broader opposition to militarism and imperialism. He believed that war should always be a last resort, and that peaceful solutions should be sought through diplomacy and dialogue. Benn was a passionate advocate for disarmament and nuclear non-proliferation, and he worked tirelessly to promote a more peaceful and just world.